The real question for the 49ers is whether they progress through this mess

The 49ers have so many question marks. And while more of them may produce positive answers than most expect, it’s likely a few won’t.

And what if coach Jim Tomsula is the question mark that doesn’t break right? What if the answer to whether Colin Kaepernick improved is no? What if offensive coordinators Geep Chryst is not an upgrade over Greg Roman, and the Trent Baalke picks we’ve been waiting on to produce are actually busts?

Either one of these is potentially enough to derail the 49ers season. Two of them all most assures it.

The reality is the 49ers are rebuilding, that’s why all the question marks. And this might be the year they take the lumps needed to progress. And that’s if this thing goes right.

Here is how I see it breaking down:

W vs Vikings

I’m picking the 49ers because of the black uniforms. Fire.

Also, because the 49ers are at home and these teams should be about even. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Kaepernick makes enough plays to get them over the hump.

L at Steelers

Coming off the opener loss to New England, Pittsburgh needs this. Plus you know their home opener is going to be crazy, which is bad news for the 49ers offensive line. No Bell for Pittsburgh gives the 49ers some hope.

L at Cardinals

The Arizona defense is legit. And they have just enough offense to produce against the 49ers defense.

L vs Green Bay

Aaron Rodgers owes Kaepernick. The Packers have been victimized by No. 7 a couples times, including one in the playoffs in Green Bay. It’s payback time.

W at New York Giants

A rare chance to get a road win. The run game, led by Carlos Hyde, could be effective against the Giants defense. The secondary should be well groomed for Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz. If not … uh oh.

L vs Baltimore

These tough, aggressive, complex defenses are kryptonite for Kaepernick. Nothing is wide open and the reads have to form quick. Baltimore lost Terrell Suggs but still should be a problem.

L vs Seattle
If they can’t conquer Baltimore’s defense, the 49ers are in trouble against the Seahawks. They don’t have the speed like St. Louis to put up 30, and they’re not going to win a grind against the Seahawks. If the 49ers are going to surprise a superior team, the emotional factor is there in the Seahawks rivalry.

L at St. Louis

Just a brutal, brutal stretch. Three straight merciless defenses. Seattle might have the best defensive front in the league, which is a nightmare for the 49ers offensive line problems.

W vs Atlanta

Remember in the cartoons when someone would be so hungry, they would start hallucinating their friend as chicken? That’s how the 49ers will be looking at the dirty birds after that trio of opponents they just had.

L at Seattle

If the 49ers don’t trail by three touchdowns at some point, that will be a feat

W vs Arizona

The 49ers enter this game at 3-7 and just trying not to let the wheels come off. Arizona gets caught slipping

W at Chicago

In a battle of two teams going nowhere, the 49ers prove a bit better. All those rough games got the young players some food experience

W at Cleveland

Another bad team to feast on. And the 49ers are motivated by the hope they could go on a run and silence their haters.

L vs Bengals

Riding a three-game win streak and a shot at a winning record, the 49ers have something to play for, which is a good sign. But a reality check is coming. Jeremy Hill, A.J. Green, Geno Atkins help bring the 49ers down to earth.

L at Lions

An 8-8 season is still possible, so the 49ers put up a fight. But Detroit is playing for its playoff life.

L vs St. Louis

Levi’s Stadium doesn’t intimidate anybody. Especially not a good Rams team. Maybe St. Louis has nothing to play for, but that’s unlikely. There you have it: 6-10. Which is actually not a bad season, all things considered. This can be a building block season, if they can lose with class.